Jonathan Compas

WHAT IF WE INVESTED MORE IN TEACHING AND LESS IN TESTING? Years ago, a boss told me: “You don’t fatten the pig by weighing it.” We test. Retest. Practice for tests. Analyze scores. Hold meetings. And test again. But are our children actually learning more? The numbers should alarm us. 🇺🇸 USA: Ranked approximately 28th of 37 OECD countries in math (PISA 2022). In 2024, 40% of fourth graders scored below Basic in reading. Meanwhile… 🇫🇮 FINLAND: No national standardized tests throughout nine years of comprehensive school. Above-average international results. 🇪🇪 ESTONIA: Among Europe’s highest-performing education systems. National assessments at selected grade levels. 🇨🇦 CANADA: Above-average international results. Ontario tests at four key grade levels rather than annually. 🇸🇬 SINGAPORE: #1 in math, reading, and science. Eliminated midyear exams, although major examinations remain. WHAT IF WE INVESTED MORE IN TEACHING AND LESS IN TESTING? Smaller classes. Reading specialists. Counselors. Early intervention. More time for actual learning. A struggling child doesn’t need another test to confirm they’re struggling. THEY NEED SOMEONE TO HELP THEM. I’m not against assessments. I’m against confusing measurement with improvement. QUESTION: If we cut standardized testing in HALF, what else could we do with the time and money? Sources: OECD PISA 2022; NAEP 2024; Finnish National Agency for Education; Ontario EQAO; Singapore Ministry of Education. #Teachers #EducationReform #StandardizedTesting #StudentsFirst #PublicEducation